Santa Maria Brewery was crowded for 10 a.m. Stepping through the doors revealed a crowd of fans decked in red, white, and blue attire to show support for the U.S. men’s soccer team. Families, friends, and children gathered around tables, munching on doughnuts or nursing a beer or mimosa (hey, it’s the World Cup after all).
The FIFA World Cup is similar to the Olympics in that it only comes around every four years, but when it’s here, you know. Right now Americans coast to coast are experiencing World Cup fever in full force, coming together for spectator viewing events like the one held on June 26.
American fans have been nervous since their team’s game 2-2 draw against Portugal, causing a queasy, frustrated feeling leading up to the kick-off with Germany.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, American midfielder Kyle Beckerman called the June 26 match against Germany “the biggest game of most of our lives.”
Terrifying is what most fans (both die-hard and casual) would have called the moments leading up to the game. A win or a draw would send the U.S. to the knockout round. But a loss meant praying that Ghana and Portugal would reach a draw, or one of the teams would achieve a slim-win.
So this was big-time international soccer.
While I was never a soccer player, I have always admired the insane athleticism involved in the sport and the passion exhibited by the players (minus their occasional over-dramatic falls to the ground). And with the World Cup in full swing, it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement.
The crowd at SM Brewery had been trickling in since 8 a.m., setting up to watch the game. Headcounts at companies across the country plummeted that day, with many fans taking the day off from work to view the midday game. Leading up to the U.S. vs. Germany match, there was a petition making the rounds online for June 26 to become a national holiday in honor of the big game.
The American Outlaws Orcutt Chapter, a U.S. soccer support organization, held the viewing event. I was able to sneak in a chat with founder and president Michael Depriest at half time. He said his group has been holding events at the brewery the entire World Cup.
“We basically travel around the country supporting the team,” he said. “We are the most dedicated soccer support group.”
Depriest said they help support and promote both the U.S. men’s and women’s soccer teams throughout the regular season and during the World Cup, essentially year-round. This is the only chapter of the nonprofit organization between Los Angeles and Monterey. In order to establish a chapter, there must be at least 25 paying members and a home bar.
“We have been hosting viewing events, promotions, discounts on beers and breakfast burritos,” Depriest said. “We’re working in conjunction with the brewery to provide people with cheaper items and a better experience, plus it’s fun to just watch the game with people.”
There were certainly a lot of people there, including one brave fan wearing a Germany jersey. Fans arrived in work clothes to grab a midday beer and a few moments of the game. No one was a stranger as fans talked game details, predictions, and argued calls. The energy was palpable as American pride dominated the scene.
The game, composed of two brutally fast 45-minute halves, was slow moving with neither Germany nor the U.S. pushing against one another. Viewers kept their eyes glued to the television, and conversation stayed focused on the game and was interspersed with loud choral yells from fans.
When Germany scored their only goal early in the first half, it seemed like everyone in the bar stood up, yelled, and grabbed their heads in unison. After the goal was made, viewers began watching the Portugal-Ghana game more intently because its outcome could lead to American elation or utter despair.
There were whispers and speculations from the crowd about the game being rigged because there are five German-American nationals on the American team, not to mention the American coach is German and very good friends with the German men’s coach. Leading up to the game, there was some controversy regarding the amount of recovery time the two teams were allotted because Germany had one more day than America.
Even more amazing than the quick feet and blazing speed of the players was the sense of unity as strangers from all walks of life came together to support our team.
“I’d say soccer is a bit more unique because international sports is something you can consistently get behind,” Depriest said. “Soccer is also one of those sports where you represent where you were born.”
He said he anticipates viewing popularity will increase even more as the American team continues to achieve more on the international stage.
“Soccer fans seem to have a lot more pride; whether we win or lose, we are going to support our nation no matter what,” Depriest said.
Both the Portugal and U.S. games continued to wind down to their final seconds; the Germans still had one goal to the Americans’ zero, while Portugal had scored two goals over Ghana. As the game clocks approached their end, fans began standing, yelling, and begging for the whistle.
“Just blow the whistle, man,” one fan yelled.
This was the pivotal moment American fans were waiting for. Finally, both whistles were blown—and the bar erupted in a wave of jumping fans, yelling children, and flag waving.
“USA! USA!” The crowd began to chant in unison. Strangers smiled and hugged—it was reminiscent of a Hollywood movie. But, according to soccer fans, the U.S. made it out of the fabled “group of death,” but they still have a tough road to hoe in the finals.
According to Wikipedia, a group of death is a group that’s unusually competitive because its number of strong competitors is greater than the number of qualifying places available in the next phase of the tournament.
But faith and support for the red, white, and blue are strong.
Longtime friends and former soccer players Goose Brooks, Marco Jimenez, and Travis Domingues have been following the World Cup action diligently. Wearing traditional American jerseys, the trio said they love the international pride the World Cup inspires.
“Soccer is a game that can change at any instant; you have to trust in your teammates,” Domingues said.
Added Brooks, “I think the finals will be a tall task, but totally doable. We weren’t expected to make it out of the group of death; with this game everyone has a shot.”
The end of the game didn’t bring about a disbursement from the crowd, but rather incited celebration and discussion about the upcoming game against Belgium.
As I walked out the doors, I could hear the crowd breaking into another round of cheers and chanting.
“USA! USA! USA!”
Staff Writer Kristina Sewell plays soccer with her golden retriever. Contact her at ksewell@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 3-10, 2014.